Two prominent Christian men from Wilmington, North Carolina, committed suicide this week. They served their churches, the local community, and went on foreign missions trips to bless many others.

Why?
What made them commit suicide? I certainly don’t know why they did it. But I think I understand what they felt — at least a little bit. About 23 years ago I was close to doing it myself when my wife found me walking alone down a country road. I was so overwhelmed by what seemed like an insurmountable financial dilemma that I left my office in the middle of the day and walked for miles to consider what I should do.

I was totally perplexed and depressed. The Lord had clearly directed me to start the work and ministry I was managing. I had tithed for years. I was convinced that I was right where I was supposed to be when the bottom fell out on “Black Monday” in October, 1987. At that point nothing made sense. I was losing everything I had worked my whole life to attain, and there appeared to be no hope. I was biblical proof of Proverbs 13:12…

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

I thought the easy “solution” was suicide. Of course, I know now that those thoughts were just what the enemy wanted me to believe. He didn’t want me to follow God or be useful to Him…

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.     – I Peter 5:8

Satan often plays on our thoughts and depression to get us right where he wants us…

Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.     – James 3:15

As our Bible study leader pointed out last night, many of us don’t know the important difference between our financial worth and our eternal worth. He reminded us that our society pushes us to evaluate ourselves based on how much we own. Keeping-up-with-the-Jones is taught from cradle to grave, and we are bombarded with materialism on television. We even acquire an education just so we can earn the maximum amount of money, purchase everything we (and our family) desire, and hopefully leave an inheritance when we die.

The more we acquire, the more we have to lose. So those of us who acquire a lot, spend far too much time worrying about losing it. And when we do — and most of us will lose some portion of our material wealth — our disappointment is all the greater.

Our society has it totally backwards, as our Bible study leader pointed out last night with many scripture references. He reminded us to…

Be content.
Contentment isn’t based on what you own. It’s a state of mind and heart…

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.     – Philippians 4:12

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.     – I Timothy 6:8

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”     – Hebrews 13:5

Don’t Worry.
That’s not a suggestion. It’s a command by Jesus himself. So call on Him. He’s totally dependable, and He will provide a way.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.     – Matthew 6:34

And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.     – Luke 12:9

…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.     – I Peter 5:7

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.     – James 5:13

Find help.
When things fall apart, get help. If you don’t have a close friend you can trust and pray with, find a minister or professional counselor.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.     – Proverbs 17:17

Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you – better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.     – Proverbs 27:10

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.     – James 5:16

It seems like a long time ago when I went through that period of my life. Thankfully my wife, along with a Christian counselor, got me back on track. One of the best things the counselor suggested was the book A Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life by Hanna Whitall Smith. And as I look back now, I realize those struggles – and that book – prepared me to handle even greater trials later on.